Collaterol Ligament Inflammation in both forelimbs and bone cyst......

[dottydiva62]

I have now had the results of an MRI scan on my 11 year old horse and it is not looking good and I am desperate to speak to people for advice as feel like I am on an emotional rollercoaster. He has inflammation in both front collateral ligaments with the added complication of a bone cyst on the insertion of the left collaterol ligament...prognosis guarded?! I was advised to put him on box rest for 3 months and we are now at a month with no sign of anything changing apart from the fact I have a very depressed and unhappy horse. I have only had him 11 months but the problem all started about 7 months ago when he started tripping in walk, there was no sign of lameness but he was clearly uncomfortable. I went through all the checks of saddle, back and teeth before getting the vet to look at him. The outcome I have been told is not good with a very slight chance of him returning to any sort of athletic life. He did also have 2 months unridden in the Summer when he had a suspensory ligament injury. Here is my dilema, I wanted to try and get him sound again so we could just enjoy some very light hacks and I thought if he did the box rest and then I turned him away for a further 6 months so he could enjoy being a horse I then would of given him every chance. But my trips to the yard every day get more and more depressing and I hate to think of him just standing in the stable, confined, frustrated and unhappy and at what gain? Is it right to give him the best possible opportunity or should I just turn him away now to be with his friends in the field and hope for the best? I have had an iridologist and herbalist in to see him and she said he had a weaken immune system and he is on a mixture of devils claw, milk thistle, seaweed and a couple of other supplements to help give him support, we are also doing some aromatherapy oils and I do pick fresh hedgerow every day. I just really would like some honest advice. Do collaterol ligaments get better or is it always going to be a problem? He also has the added complication that he has only just recovered from a suspensory ligament injury following shock wave back in the Summer. Needless to say he is no longer insured for anything to do with lameness. I really really don,t know what to do and I remain sceptical about him coming right. Thank you in advance to all replies.

 

[Marchtime]

I think you need to have a very detailed conversation with your vet and ask what the consequences would be if you were to turn out. Jesper was diagnosed with collateral ligament damage and after talks with my vet I opted out of box rest. We had previously box rested him for a hind suspensory injury a couple of years prior and he came off box rest with a bad attitude and was almost impossible to handle. I decided that I wasn't prepared to put him through it again. He had nine months off and came sound to hack but kept going intermittently lame behind and in front. In the end I retired him.
Collaterals can heal and horses can return to work (although not normally jumping) but the injury does come with a guarded prognosis for a reason. Personally I would be looking to turn your boy away and possibly consider going barefoot. It wasn't an option for Jesper but works for some. Whatever you decide good luck.

 

[Zuzzie]

I agree with Marchtime - you need to have a very good talk with your vet but bear in mind that he doesn't have a crystal ball - he cannot predict the outcome, only guess.
One of THE MOST important things to get right is the foot balance because if that is'nt correct then it will be causing more strain on those ligaments.
Personally, I would prefer to put my horse out on paddock rest - in a reduced area where he cant loon around. I just couldn't bear to see my horse stuck in a box for all those months.
I really do hope he comes sound for you - best of luck.